Biggest business hubs outside London

The UK’s capital city might be the largest by quite some margin, but it’s far from being the only place to do business in the UK. As sky-high rents and living costs drive more and more talented professionals outside London, businesses are flocking to cities up and down the country. Here are a few of the best hubs for business outside the capital.

Look North to Manchester

Part of the “Northern Powerhouse”, Manchester
has been going from strength to strength in recent years. The city council has
handed out millions of pounds to help startup companies thrive, and the area
has become one of the country’s thriving tech hotspots. In fact, it’s rated as
one of the top 20 cities in Europe for new and innovative companies.

Working in the West – Bristol

This city has seen impressive growth in recent
years, thanks to a direct rail link with the capital. Bristol has an excellent
reputation as a home of global engineering industries, with top companies like
Airbus and Rolls Royce located nearby. Not only that, but Bristol boasts an
impressive digital sector along with creative and marketing industries. Ongoing
investment in infrastructure promises to make Bristol even more accessible and
productive in the coming years.

Glasgow, Scotland’s second city

Scotland’s long-time industrial city is a fair
trip north, but it promises plenty of great opportunities. Glasgow also
provides many city-based grants and loans to help companies get started, as
well as cheap office space. Glasgow is a great city for business, but it also
boasts an attractive culture and plenty of advantages as a place to live.

Leeds is the centre of innovation in Yorkshire

The “first city of Yorkshire” is well-known as
a student destination, boasting several universities and nightlife to match.
However, with so much young talent around, Leeds has also developed a
reputation for up-and-coming businesses. There’s endless innovation and
appetite to try new things, so moving your business to Leeds could be an
excellent way to grow.

Could your business flourish outside of London?

Yes, there are a lot of good reasons to choose
the capital as your base of operations. The sheer volume of businesses and the
weight of talent on tap makes it very attractive. However, you’ll soon find
that there’s just as many smart, talented individuals choosing to live away
from the Big Smoke. With much lower costs and first-rate infrastructure,
expanding outside of London could be the right step for your business.